Ah, the hostel life: living out of a backpack, turning dirty underwear inside out and sharing ten-bed dorms with other smelly backpackers. It’s times like these that amplify the comfort of small luxuries.

Expensive internet, broken stove-tops and two-minute noodles are a very important part of the backpacker life that many of us have come to know and (secretly) love.

Checking in at Nomads Capital

Check-in was a smooth process, despite the massive line at reception. I arrived just in time for the Rugby World Cup and Wellington was bumping. Belinda and Adnin missioned through the queue with a vengeance and got the crowds sorted and settled.

The Rooms

The rooms are pretty standard, but there’s nothing wrong with that! Sure you’ll find some plastic mattresses in the dorms but the 6- and 4-bed rooms stock one queen-size bed so make sure you get there early and claim the throne! The dorm rooms are HUGE and have lockers and bedside tables with ample space to lay out all your dirty clothes for everybody else’s viewing (and smelling) pleasure. All linens are provided and the beds are fully made upon arrival.

Amenities

The kitchen is well-stocked and well-maintained; the attached lounge is spacious and comfortable. There’s a big-screen TV which plays movies all day and night and there are plenty of internet terminals available for use. The best part about all this? 24 hour access to the kitchen, laundry, internet and reception.

It’s a quiet, relaxed and totally awesome hostel which has found success in separating the party from the accommodation by hooking up super cheap drinks at the bar next door.

Blend Bar

The attached Blend Bar is a big selling point for this hostel. Having worked in quite a few, I’ve got my gripes about backpacker bars. With $4 house drinks all night (edit: they’re five bucks now!) and a free meal every evening you won’t find any complaints here. OK, it’s more of a snack, but the food’s pretty good and you can always upgrade for a couple more bucks.

On any given night you might find a few people chilling out on the couches with a few pints or you might find short-skirted girls dancing on the tables. This place packs a good party.

Nomads Capital is just around the corner from Cuba St., one of the major hubs of Wellington, and only a 10-minute walk from Courtenay Place. It’s one of the best locations in town.

Though I was only supposed to be here for a few days, my plans in Wellington have changed and I’ve been checked into Nomads for three weeks. Living at a hostel usually isn’t first on anybody’s list but I’ve had no qualms about it. This is definitely a cool spot.

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